I’m joined by Carl-Edwin Michel, founder and executive producer of the Canadian Game Awards, for a timely conversation about the evolution of the CGA and the importance of celebrating Canadian talent in the video game industry. Together, we discuss how the awards have grown, why this year’s edition feels especially significant, and what it means to build visibility for Canadian creators on a larger stage.

We also dive into the adjudication process behind the awards, the challenge of defining what makes a game truly Canadian, the balance between blockbuster productions and smaller independent projects, and the current state of the industry in a period marked by both uncertainty and creativity. Carl-Edwin also shares his thoughts on the return of the Best VR/AR Game category, the growing momentum around XR and location-based experiences, and his long-term vision for the Canadian Game Awards both nationally and internationally.

À l’approche de la troisième édition de la Compétition Immersive du Festival de Cannes, je retrouve Elie Levasseur, responsable de cette initiative ambitieuse, pour une conversation approfondie sur l’évolution rapide de la Compétition Immersive et de l’industrie XR dans son ensemble.

Ensemble, nous discutons des grandes nouveautés de cette édition, de la transformation du format de présentation des œuvres, de l’émergence croissante des expériences immersives collectives, ainsi que des défis économiques qui continuent de redéfinir le marché de la XR. Nous abordons également la montée du location-based entertainment, les limites actuelles du hardware domestique, l’intégration de l’intelligence artificielle dans la création immersive, ainsi que le rôle de Cannes dans la structuration d’un écosystème encore en pleine mutation.

Plus qu’un simple survol de la programmation, cet épisode propose une réflexion de fond sur l’état actuel de la création immersive et sur les directions que pourrait prendre le médium au cours des prochaines années.

In this episode of Dr. VR, I sit down with Geoff Eisfeld, founder of XR FIT in Whitby, Ontario, to explore his journey from immersive space design and gaming into the world of location-based VR. We talk about the vision behind XR Fit, why he believes VR arcades need to evolve, and how his partnership with LA Fitness is helping him rethink what immersive entertainment, fitness, and community can look like in a public space.

Together, we also discuss the future of franchising VR venues, the challenges facing the VR arcade market, and why Geoff sees accessibility, affordability, and repeat engagement as key to the next phase of immersive growth.